Photographer's Note

I'm posting another photo of Monsaraz, but this time a different one. Every year this village recreates the Nativity scene using around 40 real size figures that are placed all through the village. You can find them in the most amazing places. There are beggers sitting on the stairs of the church, women taking water from the wells, children in the streets and many others. This is a photo of the three wise men that are going to see Jesus. This is the main street and it's here we can find most part of the figures this year. If we follow their direction, we'll find him. I guess they change the place of these figures every year. This year Jesus is placed by the walls of the castle, I've taken some photos but the light conditions were not very good.
I'm posting this photo because I particularly like this event. I like Christmas trees also but the Nativity has a big tradition in our country and unfortunately it's loosing some importance I think. So I really apprecciate the idea of seeing this one, in real size and in such an old and traditional village.
If someone's interested in seeing it, it will be there till the 6th January. In the square of the church it's also possible to see the place where the Christmas log is burnt at Christmas. It's an old tradition in many villages of Portugal. People gather around a big fire on Christmas Eve. After all, Christmas also means friendship and being with the others.

i like this image very much. The primitive nature of the Nativity Statues makes it more interesting than realistic or idealized mannequins, and it is set against the bright Portuguese sunlight. There is another TE member who recently posted photos from Evora. Do you know him?